The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1887-07-09

might choose her own residence. He
upbraided her with her deception and
ingratitude, and declared that he
would do nothing for her beyond what
he had said.
The same day Marguerite met Louis,
and she was on her way home when
they overlook jean Sayart. The APP
pearance of the dog notified them Of
the fact that Monsieur Tontay must be
outside the grounds, and.hence the hur-
ried parting to meet again at later
hour.
At that second meeting the death of
Monsieur Tontay was agreed upon, and
poison was to be the means by which
he was to be removed. They retired
to the barn, where they had frequently
met before, and with what happened
there the reader is already acquainted.
When Monsieur Tontay was found
murdered in the barn next morning the
greatest CONSERVATION prevailed in the
neighborhood Such crime had never
been known there within the memory
of the oldest inhabitant. 1872
Marie Petel, the cook, testified that
the night before her master came to her
and said that he had put a miserable
tramp into the barn to sleep, and babe
her make a pot of good soup for the
man. She did so, and Monsieur Ton
tay, with his own hands, carried the
pottage in a can to the barn.
Itwas the tramp who had murdered
his benefactor! Could there be any
doubt about itP Poor, generous, kind
hearted Monsieur Tontay had been
murdered by the man to whom he was
doing an act of kindness He had been
robbedP Nobody could say, for no.
dody knew what money Monsieur car
ried about him.
The tramp was the man, anyhow,
and the officers of justice were speedily
after him. But they failed to find him.
AS for Jean, he travelled on, doing
odd jobs here and there, until, early the
following spring, he found himself at
Poitou By one of these condolences
which often occur, he made his way to
Lussac, where, it may be remembered,
Monsieur Jarente and the faithless
wife of Monsieur Tontay resided.
OF course, the story of the murder
had reached them, and had excited in
even them feelings of horror and ven
J geance. dean, as his custom was on
reaching a new neighborhood, hid in
the woods. and ventured abroad with
care until he sawsthe character of the
people around. On quitting the EN-
ploy of Plony, at Epernay, he had re-
ceived a good round sum which was
due him for wages This money he
had carefully boarded, using no, more
of it than was absolutely necessary.
Latterly he had carried it wrapped in
J the handkerchief which : the dog had
snatched from the hand of Marguerite
: Tontay, ON the evening when Jean hid
from them as they passed along the
pathway leading up to Monsieur Ton
tay's dwelling.
. On the evening when he reached
Lussac, Jean sought out in the wood 6
, hiding place for his money, and fol
that purpose selected the, hollow in {
fork of large tree which grew neal
the edge of coppice.
} 1t so happened that that day Mon
sieur Jarente was expecting two friend!
to breakfast from Chamigny, and they
t were to take the road along the banl
: of the river Vienne. He went to til,
hill on which the coppice was situated
| to see whether there was any signs o
his expected guests, as from that spo
the road was distinctly visible for sew
eral miles. aa ales7 tss
A AS he reelineds on the. bank by tn,
side of the coppice heiheard footsteps
and, CHANGING up cautiously, he saw
roughly-dressed man approach tai
tree near by. and, after looking thi
: way and that, deposit something in tn
l fork of the tree, standing upon tipto
Y to do so. Then the man hastily retire,
and Monsieur Jarente saw him cree
: along the side of the coppice down to
= ward the village 10
4 Monsieur Jatente's curiosity wa
!. excited and he went to the tree to Sc
!, what the man had placed there. H
a drew forth a small bundle which h
o discovered contained money. An oil,
y handkerchief, of fine texture, covere,
: the treasure. Monsieur Jarente unite,
h the knots, and, observing name il
one corner of the handkerchief. exam
s ined it closely.
n His amazement was extreme whel
+ he read without difficulty, in a neat
Il plain hand, the name "Marguerit
c Tontay."
) In an instant he associated the hand
d kerchief and the man with the murde